A Food and Drug Administration ban on blood donations includes any man who has had sexual relations with another man since 1977. The government said there's an increased risk of exposure to and transmission from infectious diseases, including HIV.

Critics of the ban have argued that technology to screen blood has improved, and there aren't enough safety concerns to justify the ban amid ongoing blood shortages. The American Medical Association voted last month to oppose the FDA ban.

Kansas City's Community Blood Center is currently in great need of blood, especially among A-, B- and O- blood types.

"They don't even have a three-day supply right now. That's frustrating for us knowing that there are people in our community who want to give blood, who are willing to give blood, but we're not able to because of who we love," said protest organizer Caleb-Michael Files.

He said the protest will take place Friday outside the Community Blood Center at 40th and Main streets. Similar protests are planned in cities across the United States.

The minimum requirement to donate blood is to be at least 16 years old, 115 pounds and in good health. The ban includes gay men and people who have traveled to certain countries.